Russell Westbrook’s overall performance this season has been astounding and historic. On a nightly basis, he has captivated NBA fans with his incredible displays of athleticism and leadership. Averaging 31.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, Westbrook is virtually a lock to finish with the first season-long triple-double since Oscar Robertson’s 1961-1962 campaign.He is also just three triple-doubles shy of Robertson’s single-season NBA record of 41 that he set in that historic season.While his cumulative numbers have simply been amazing, Westbrook’s ability to create MVP moments all season long has also been obvious, particularly in late-game situations.While last game’s heroics in a 57-point, 13-rebound and 11-assist performance opened everyone’s eyes to just how clutch he can be, he’s been delivering at the end of games all season long. Consider the following:

Let that sink in for a second. Of OKC’s clutch shots this year, Westbrook has made 75 and out of those 75, 72 of them have been unassisted. That's incredible.

In other words, they’ve mostly come on either fast break or iso situations. When the game has been on the line or at the end of the shot clock, Brodie has the ball in his hands more times than not and despite the defensive attention, he has found a way to find the bottom of the net. 

If that doesn’t help his case for the league MVP award, nothing will.

Since Kobe Bryant retired, we’ve been searching for the best late-game closer in the NBA. Westbrook’s numbers across the board are remarkable, but his innate ability to rise to the occasion when his team needs him to is perhaps his most important quality.

And you can't teach that quality.

At 43-31, Westbrook has eight games left in what has been an historic regular season. While he only needs three more triple-doubles to tie Robertson and much of the focus will be on that feat, he also has eight more opportunities to prove that he’s perhaps the best leader in the world of sports right now. So far, he's doing a great job of doing just that. 

While James Harden, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have all had remarkable seasons as well, Westbrook's ability to be the unquestioned go-to man in all late-game situations might bode well for his MVP chances. 

At the end of the day, an MVP award won't completely make or break Westbrook's unforgettable season, but it would definitely be icing on the cake.